The Senate is poised to begin debate on the fiscal 2019 defense authorization bill on Monday, after surmounting a procedural obstacle Thursday. When the Senate reconvenes Monday evening, the Senate is expected to approve a motion to proceed to the bill. At that point, lawmakers could vote on dozens of amendments, including noncontroversial ones assembled into managers’ packages and more contentious ones requiring roll call votes, reported CQ. … The House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee on Thursday approved a $674.6 billion fiscal 2019 spending bill, which would provide $606.5 billion in base discretionary funding — about $900 million less than the administration requested but $17.1 billion more than lawmakers allocated this year. The measure would fund an increase in active-duty end strength of 15,600 and a 2.6 percent pay raise for service members, both matching levels requested by DOD, reported the Hill. Funding for operation and maintenance includes $1.05 billion above the administration’s request for facility sustainment, restoration and modernization programs, according to a summary released by the committee. The measure is expected to be considered by the full committee on June 13.